The effect of S0220 is to ensure that the municipalities receive financial compensation for the potential tax revenue they forfeit due to property exemptions for these nonprofit institutions. The bill stipulates that the state will contribute 27% of the property taxes that would have been collected if the properties were not tax-exempt. This financial support aims to alleviate some fiscal burdens faced by local governments and support essential municipal services.
Summary
Bill S0220, relating to towns and cities in the state of Rhode Island, focuses on state aid for municipalities. Specifically, it amends Section 45-13-5.1 of the General Laws to provide annual appropriations in lieu of property taxes for certain nonprofit properties, including private institutions of higher education and nonprofit hospitals. This amendment is especially significant for the town of Exeter, where state-owned properties would be included in the appropriations, countering existing restrictions under the law.
Contention
Discussions around S0220 may involve concerns regarding the adequacy of funding and the implications of relying on state appropriations for essential municipal services. The bill mandates that municipalities cannot record both payments under stabilization agreements with for-profit hospitals and state appropriations attributable to prior nonprofit statuses in the same fiscal year. This provision may create complexities in fiscal management for towns and engender debate among lawmakers about the fairness and sustainability of such funding mechanisms.
Provides PILOT to Exeter for state owned properties. Imposes no duty on Exeter to protect these properties. Requires payments to be used to create a police department or defray town expenses used to provide police protection.
Includes municipal detention facility corporations as exempt from taxation, and requires that an amount equal to 27% of all tax that would have been collected if the property was taxable be paid to the municipality annually.